My Homestead: Why You Can’t Come Unannouced

This might sound a bit harsh, but my homestead is not a theme park, petting zoo, or quaint local tourist spot. It’s my home. Although I encourage people to ask me questions and I’m happy to grant tours on my own terms, wandering around without consent is never okay. It just isn’t.

This wasn’t the first time this has happened. It’s happened quite a few times before. Let’s chat a bit about why this isn’t okay behavior…

Homestead Livestock Security

As I mentioned, we have chicks running around that could easily fall into danger with unexpected visitors, but there’s so much more. A big issue is bio security. We are a natural/organic/holistic homestead and we take quarantine and bio security very seriously. There are some really bad diseases that can kill off bird flocks and goat herds. That may seem like a dramatic statement, but it’s the truth.

“Biosecurity means doing everything you can to reduce the chances of an infectious disease being carried onto your farm by people, animals, equipment, or vehicles. It also means doing everything you can to reduce the chance of disease leaving your farm. Healthy herds and flocks contribute to the health of U.S. animal agriculture as a whole. Farm visitors can pose a risk, particularly if they have been on other farms with animals or have recently been in other countries with diseases exotic to the United States. Losses from foreign animal disease outbreaks can also hit close to home with animal deaths, reduced productivity, as well as treatment, labor, and management costs and the loss of valuable genetic material from certain animals.” United States Department of Agriculture, Safeguarding American Agriculture

The USDA even goes so far to say you should restrict access to your property and your livestock or
poultry, and post a sign. Have one area where visitors can enter. Do not allow visitors near livestock or poultry unless absolutely necessary, and then make sure visitors have clean footwear and clothes. This is actually a very serious issue that goes well beyond the farm being visited. It actually impacts the agricultural system as a whole.

This is also why we can’t take your animals. I’ve heard it time and time again; you already have chickens, so can you take my four as well? No. No I cannot. My friend Amy at A Farmish Kind of Life summed it up beautifully in her article 7 Reasons You Can’t Rehome Your Pet At My Farm.

Don’t even get me started on people feeding my poultry things they aren’t suppose to have. Or ripping up my lawn to feed the goats. Not cool.

People Security

While 99.9% of the people that stop by uninvited are merely interested in our lifestyle or want to show their kiddos and grand-kiddos real live farm animals (as was the case today), there is still the .1% to worry about. How do I know you aren’t some weirdo? Are you a serial killer? Did I just interrupt a robbery when I caught you in my yard? The answer is I don’t know. That’s scary. I have a husband who would die to protect us all, but I run this homestead while he works outside of the home. It scares the (excuse the language) shit out of me when I catch you in the side yard talking to my children.

In addition to my being a homesteader that needs to keep my livestock safe, I’m a mom who needs to keep my family safe. When you step foot on my property without my consent or knowledge, you are putting my family in danger (whether it’s your intent or not).

Homestead Security

Yeah, theft of our tools would really put a cramp in my day/week/month, but that’s not the home security I speak of. Here’s something a lot of people don’t consider. I live on a residential homestead with regular old residential insurance. If one of my animals injured you or if you slipped on goat manure and busted your head, guess who’s paying for that? Me.

Theme parks, petting zoos, and tourist destinations have special insurance to protect you from yourself. Safety measures have been put in place to keep people from being harmed. Me? I have garden rakes laying on the ground with prong-side up. I am the only person who risks getting hit in the face like a cartoon comedy sketch thankfully.

Please let me still do homestead outreach…

As of right now, we have cancelled this autumn’s farm tour. I am also working on locations to hold classes off site. I want to promote this lifestyle, but I need to consider what impact it has on my homestead. If anyone has suggestions, please share in the comments below.

And hey, it’s good to know I’m not alone. My friend Carrissa from “down the road a bit” has dealt with it herself. One unexpected visitor could have lost his head. I know I wouldn’t cross her livestock guardian dog. You can read about her visitor violations at Feather and Scale Farm.

I am a non-traditional homesteader. What is a non-traditional homesteader? I'd like to think we are the people who don't fit the mold. I am a busy mom on a small bit of property with not a lot of financial resources, but I am figuring out how to live the life I want. A homesteader's life.

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Comments

How about telling that they have to put on boost its before they can see any thing then show them a bio suit!!! Don’t know if that would help? Good luck people today have no idea , what they can’t do cause they were never told cause parents don’t tell them NO!

I’m sorry, but no. No, no, no. I am with Angela England. I don’t care if you live on a homestead, farm, or apartment. If you walk onto someone else’s property and start talying to their kids, you are likely to get shot. That is wrong and stupid at so many levels!

Could not agree with you more. We have about 100 acres and folks think that because it is a large property, they can just treat it like a public park. One of my neighbors asked if he could stock my pond so he could fish it…I’ve caught people riding their ATVs, without permission, just after the crops were planted! We’ve had people ask if they could ride their ATVs, snow machines and even horses around on our farm. We say “no” to all. Oh, and the trash. Oh I hate the trash. People just ride by and throw stuff out the window. Dirty diapers, beer bottles (I HOPE from the passenger, not the driver), empty cigarette packets. Unbelievable. Twice a year I ride around and pick up trash. I easily fill 2 large trash bags each time. As far as liability, I would recommend looking at an Umbrella policy. It is cheap and it will cover all kinds of liability – car accidents, accidents at your home, etc. For $1 million in coverage, you are looking at a rate of around $200-250/year, perhaps cheaper depending on your area. With today’s sue-happy society, everyone should have an umbrella policy. No, I am not an insurance agent. I just know of some horrific stories of folks who were sued and if they had had an umbrella policy, they would have been covered.

Excellent article. I had never thought about the biohazards. I did once ask a woman if I could come see her goats/farm/set-up. She said no, her farm is closed. I was sad (because I admire her goats) but not offended at all. I am a stranger to her. I know there are lunatics in this world and would never welcome strangers into my home. (I have NO idea how people do those “couch renting” things and open their home to everyone!). But I didn’t think that besides me being a stranger, there are also diseases I could track in. Very informative. Thank you.

I know I’m late to this party, but I just found this article on Pinterest. I absolutely, completely agree. I live in a regular, suburban house with a fenced in yard where I garden (no animals like goats because my city/township is just full of money-grubbing horrible excuses for people…but I digress). I’ve come home to find people smoking…ahem…herbal refreshment… on my front porch, AND THEN REFUSED TO LEAVE WHEN I TOLD THEM TO. I’ve gone out back to find groups of children trampling my garden playing football–after climbing a 6ft fence–and when I told them to leave, they whined to their mothers who told them they could stay if they wanted. I’ve opened my back door and the dogs have run out to the yard, only to find a family EATING THE FOOD FROM MY GARDEN like it was a picnic.

I finally put up a rude sign–“trespassers will be shot on sight”. Would you be shocked to find that it didn’t help? I’ve called the cops dozens of times, and their response is “well, you live near a park–what did you expect?” I expect you to get your overpaid buns down here and arrest them! DH once thought we were being attacked and ran outside in his underwear with a shotgun. That seemed to help some. It helps if people think you’re nuts, so… 😉

I can’t imagine the biohzards half of these lunatics carry with them, and thankfully, I never had much of an issue with my smaller sized garden.

The entitlement mentality in much of society is just staggering. Even when you tell them to leave, they argue that they have a right to be there. It’s absurd.

You have opened my eyes regarding the diseases people can introduce to your animals. Your other points should be common sense; but obviously are ignored in favor of a sense of entitlement.
Earlier suggestions of “No Trespassing ” and guard dogs are good. Me? I’m terrified of electric fences. Sometimes, humor will work. As in a sign expressing:

This property is protected by mad cows, hysterically enthusiastic guard dogs, electrical fences, territorial geese and two cantankerous attack mules. Trespassers may encounter stun guns, snakes and/or barn rodents. Not to mention, ornery children armed with water balloons or and a semi-domesticated skunk. Please respect our boundaries. We have no room in our busy lives to worry about YOUR safety, too.

I cannot imagine entering someone’s private property but especially not my side/back yard and worse yet talking to my kids without me there! You’re a lot calmer ‘looking’ than I would’ve been! It infuriates me just thinking of it happening to you! Sadly it’s inconsiderate people like this that ruin it for everyone. You’re kind enough to show/open your home to people you don’t know for educational purposes, but if people are there just to see your animals and their babies they’ve gone to the wrong place! Go to a petting zoo people! I’m so sorry this has happened to you. Your and your family’s safety comes first always.

Seriously . ..my ‘town’ friends think my homestead IS a petting zoo
When a goat passed they said..’well, you have other ones’….no heart, I swear……..or randomly drive out and have …other kids….with them….oh we just wanted to see the babies!…..you have such a cute petting zoo…..ENOUGH….. ….my goats,sheep, chickens are not here to gawk at or be handled by outsiders. I raise my animals holistically . ….bio security is extremely important . ….Invite Only….?

We have a local feed store that does a poultry swap.
Wonderful idea. Every time I go.. Walk around with my hands in my pockets.
I can see what I need to from 5 ft away.
I Watch the kids bounce from one batch of chicks to the next,
Fondling every one possible as do adults.
Not so much as a handi wipe between the vendors
Every time I walked away without buying.
Then tossed my clothes straight into the washer when I got home.
Tempted yes… But bio stupidity is a form of animal abuse.
If you aren’t smart enough to protect the animals you have,
You don’t deserve the rights and privilege of having more.

That applies to brutal honesty towards the unthinking masses.
There is a reason cowboy boots are pointy.

People just don’t think. Everyone wants to enjoy farm animals and gardens. But apparently some haven’t a clue it is a private home.Perhaps posting simple,easy to read and understand signs stating due to BioSecurity and privacy matters, no wanderings or tours without permission or they will be asked to leave. If you are holding classes at your place, a clearly marked walk way that does not meander through your place,might be best for you.

I struggle a lot with this lately. We have a 1.3 acre farm where we grow mandarins for sale, along with all the other stuff we grow for US. In trying to promote our business, it’s also promoting the life we live. I have people ask all the time if they can “come to our farm and visit” to bring their kids to see the animals, to pick fruit, etc. I struggle with all the liabilities you listed as well as the fact this is my HOME, my sanctuary, my safe place. I hadn’t even pondered the bio-security issue you brought up. Thanks for the article. Its nice to know I am not a bad person for wanting to keep my homestead private from the general public.

I 100% agree. We moved to a “town” of 80 people for a reason. We thankfully haven’t had too much issue, usually neighbors and a few stupid utility workers (still makes the dogs absolutely freak) we do have a guard llama for our goat herd and I worry that someone would be dumb enough to get thrashed by him. We have “livestock guardian on duty” and “no trespassing” signs.
I grew up/spent my young adult days in a city where my car was stolen, twice, and had 2 apartments broken into.
I will however have to make some sort of compromise as we plan on having a farm stand at the ” busier” corner or the road someday

Great post! You should never have to justify why you do or don’t want strangers near your home. I have a small house, children, and pets, so we have a swing in our yard and a tree you can climb.

I’ve come home many times to find random kids (not from our street) in my yard and in my tree…so often, I’ve had to add a sign that says “play at your own risk.” This is a topic that needs discussion!!

Maybe it’s because I live in South Louisiana, but I don’t have this problem. I’m in a rural area but I’m surrounded by neighborhoods, subdivisions and all levels of income. I’ve had people knock on my door or approach us when they see us outside but have never found someone wandering my yard. Some have never actually seen a live chicken before and are only curious. I back up against some protected cypress forest area and the back portion of my property is rather wild. I had a guy once pop out of the woods on a 3-wheeler and he was as surprised as I was–he apologized and was on his way. I’ve always asked people to wash up or tell them how to behave for their safety and the comfort of my animals as I do have a strict manner in how I maintain their health and my property. I feel and it is received as an educational experience. People need to have manners and be gracious….on both sides of the fence.

Maybe when you find them, hand them a shovel and direct them to the nearest manure pile with orders to turn it.If they disagree, tell them they owe you so much money for the disruption of the farm (hourly rate, charges are by the hour or day, with a 1-hour minimum). When you start trying to get their name, address, and phone #, I’d bet they leave in a hurry. If they’re talking to your kids, that should definitely require a call to the police. I’d like to think I would be as calm and graceful as you were, but I would probably snap and say something I’d later regret.

Isn’t living in the country great! We live 20 miles out in the country and that is as close to town I want to be. People amaze me on how they just drive up my drive way and get out like they own it. they think we are country bumkins and think “well doggies someone has came all the way out here they must be important” We don’t want you here stomping around any more than you want us to stomp around your house.

and don’t bring you dog!! This year alone We have lost 5 ducks, a chick, my best laying hen and a turkey!!The bear attack, while sad, I could handle but visitors with their “playful” pups not so much. It happens so fast, before “don’t let your dog out of your car ” is out of the homesteaders mouth the dogs are on the birds. It makes us sound mean, I know. I can live with that.

I am so sorry about your frustrations. I share them too. we have folks from town stop by because they think it’s fine, not understanding the amount of work that needs to get done. Not to mention the people who think it’s ok to feed our animals over the fence. It’s ridiculous. I know we have insurance, but shouldn’t there be some “dumb axx” clause??? Just saying. ? But I think educating other’s is key. Signs explaining your position are undeniable. Thank you for posting this article. It certainly touched on o ne of my irritations.

This was such a good article! I have no idea why people seem to think that if you have a farm or a homestead then you are suddenly a petting zoo of some kind. There’s a U-pick blueberry patch that is accessed by an easement over our property (right through our yard…) it is absolutely horrible for three months every single summer. I’ve had people on my back deck, in my barn, eating lunch in my yard, sitting by my fire pit and feeding my horses even though the signs clearly say PRIVATE PROPERTY and the way is well marked so there is absolutely no reason for anyone to stop here but to proceed directly to the blueberry patch. I totally get what you’re going through and it is SO frustrating, we finally had to block our driveway off when the blueberries were closed which helped but was also really annoying. People don’t seem to think at all! I mean, seriously, would they like it if we just waltzed onto their homes and property?

I started reading, why is she having to write this, surely……,then you wrote people were actually in your yard talking to your children! Yea, scared the shat(past tense) out of me, too! Good grief!!! Are people really that stupid?? Or just not thinking?? You need some good guard dogs. You know the difference between watch and guard dogs? Watch dogs bark: you need to come see about this….; Guard dogs: you just keep your seat, I got this….(you see the difference;).
Good luck!

Thanks to all for the great info. We have a small farm, with chickens and goats in a residential neighborhood. We have had to deal with this issue on occasion. We have added cameras and signs to deter uninvited visitors, plus we are in the process of moving things around (out of site) to reduce the temptation of uninvited visitors. Will be adding by appointment only signs as well.

This isn’t just a Farm issue. I have people wandering through my yard in town because they think my garden looks cool. They do this with my kids are playing while I Garden, they do this in the late night with a flashlight. People don’t seem to know the meaning of the word trespass anymore.

It is so interesting that people feel so welcome on farms. We noticed how much people like to visit as well. I am good for planned visits but not impromptu ones. We are always in the middle of something and sometimes that thing is not so pretty, say chicken harvest time?

Jessica: I was so sorry to read about your distressing day. Be encouraged: the best way to combat this type of violation is to educate others, as you have about livestock distress and disease, and, to use the lesson to protect yourself and your family. The idea of a friendly sign letting folks know you are available by appointment ONLY is a great way to start! People use to be taught to respect others personal space; it seems in this day of “instant” recognition, people thing they are automatically a BFF. Please know that their are people out here who recognize your legitimate right to privacy and applaud the gentle way you shared your unhappiness with the situation. Blessings, Ellen

I have people stopping by frequently soliciting things/ideas of religious nature. I am sometimes inappropriately dressed (morning chores/jammies…hard sweaty garden digging in tank top and short shorts). They show up when I’m milking a tricky nervous heifer. They show up when I am in a huge time crunch or racing weather headed my way. This is how I see it…this is my JOB. Yes, I am “home” but home is where I WORK.Do you show up at a Doctor’s office? Barge in to a teacher’s classroom? And the biosecurity thing is tricky. I do like it when neighbors stop by, being “neighborly”, but I can see where folks who live in areas that have had issues with disease would be a little concerned. And…bummer :(…pretty upset about this right now actually…today my aussie bit my neighbor today that I did not see drive up or would have put dogs away. My fault…still bummed

Farm family is a great insurance company that is regular homeowners insurance and they offer a rider for farm animals etc to protect you from visitors (whether authorized or not) as well as your animals escaping and causing damage or an accident.

They are extremely easy to work with, don’t have canine breed restrictions (my chow uses the reps briefcase as a pillow and drooled all over it) AND they will pay you, the owner, to do any repairs from a claim of you are able to do so. They understand farmers do a lot of their own work and repairs but that time is worth money. We had a washing machine flood the house and they paid my husband to rebuild (he is a builder and was out of work at the time). And they cut a check in full to start the work. Super awesome to work with. With the extra money he made for his labor we were able to update the 20 year old kitchen.

I’ve always been shocked by the number of people who think it’s ok to stop by, pet, feed, even set their small children up on the back of my horses. These people are occasionally neighbors, but most often strangers. I’ve stopped people with an entire grocery sack filled with apples they intended to feed my mare who then say, “But horses love apples.” Ok, and I occasionally share an apple with them, but not an entire bag at one time and certainly not apples which I have no idea where they came from. I even had one guy who told me it was ok for him to be on private property, feeding my animals inappropriate ‘treats’ because he was a cop. Where do these people get these ideas? After removing a strange two year old carefully from the back of an Arab mare standing in my paddock, I tried to explain to the total stranger mother that this was a 2,000 pound animal which could easily injure or even kill her child. I was met with blank looks and disbelief that such a sweet horsey would do such a thing. She wasn’t even holding the child on and was on the other side of a fence. The kid could have fallen or been tossed off, stepped on, etc. And for the idiots feeding them, the concept of what those large teeth and strong jaws could do to their hand, arm, child, etc just doesn’t compute.

I’ve always been shocked by the number of people who think it’s ok to stop by, pet, feed, even set their small children up on the back of my horses. These people are occasionally neighbors, but most often strangers. I’ve stopped people with an entire grocery sack filled with apples they intended to feed my mare who then say, “But horses love apples.” Ok, and I occasionally share an apple with them, but not an entire bag at one time and certainly not apples which I have no idea where they came from. I even had one guy who told me it was ok for him to be on private property, feeding my animals inappropriate ‘treats’ because he was a cop. Where do these people get these ideas? After removing a strange two year old carefully from the back of an Arab mare standing in my paddock, I tried to explain to the total mother that this was a 2,000 pound animal which could easily injure or even kill her child. I was met with blank looks and disbelief that such a sweet horsey would do such a thing. She wasn’t even holding the child on and was on the other side of a fence. The kid could have fallen or been tossed off, stepped on, etc. And for the idiots feeding them, the concept of what those large teeth and strong jaws could do to their hand, arm, child, etc just doesn’t compute.

Hi Jessica, I agree with you whole-heartedly. It all comes down to common courtesy along with the willingness to learn from those who are “in the know” re: farm life, etc. One of the precious resources from whom to learn is obviously you!?
Unfortunately, natural human nature wants nothing to do with warning signs, verbal admonitions, etc. Human nature chooses pride, arrogance, and a “know-it-all” attitude/”rules are for everyone else-not me, I’m in charge”.
Sure hope many will read your article and truly take it to heart. Many blessings to you, your family, and your farm. Carol

We have a No Trespassing sign at the end of our drive, but it does not stop people. I have come home to strangers walking thru my Husbands shop , driving slowly around the back of our house & even looking in the lean-to. I have met more than one trespasser with harsh words & a 22.

Omg. I can’t believe how ignorant people are. I don’t live on a homestead, i live in a rwgular houae in the city where you just expect people to come up to the door, and it drives me crazy. Heaven help them if i ever find someone wandering through my yard! I also have concerns that if someone enters my yard, my dog could bite them, and then i get fined and he could get taken away/destroyed. All because someone doesnt respect boundaries. I’m so sorry to hear this intrusion happened to you.

Couldn’t agree more with this article. Some days I feel like we’re running a petting zoo. We have neighbours who feel they can drop by “whenever”, just to bring their children to see the animals. While I appreciate that they want their kids exposed to farm life, it is very distracting. Farm work doesn’t take a break because little Jessica wants to see the bunnies. The biosecurity issue has raised it’s head in a big way around here lately. We had a poultry farm 5 miles away quarantined for avian flu. Now, the first question visitors are asked is “when was the last time you were at a farm?” If I don’t like the answer, sorry but no visit today. At this time of year, our beehives are also a big worry. Our colonies tend to get very aggressive in fall, and sometimes people don’t seem to hear what you’re saying. If I tell you you will get stung if you get too near, I mean it. I wish signs helped, but they don’t seem to. Good luck and keep us updated with your progress on this issue.

I didn’t think of the biosecurity issue earlier today when we talked. I try to also keep visiting to minimum. I brought a strain of coccidiosis to my flock by accidentally forgetting to change my shoes before going to my poultry area. It really does happen! We don’t take our animals off site where there will be other animals normally. I take them to programs at schools and churches for programs rather than have the people come to us. I hope your changes are successful.

And the excuse, “I grew up on a farm and just miss it!” doesn’t fly, either. If you really grew up on a farm, you would so know better than to come onto someone’s property without their permission for all the reasons you just outlined. Grrrrr.

I couldn’t agree more with this post. We have people who want to stop by our urban homestead because they hear the chickens or have heard about what we do in our backyard. Fortunately, our backyard is only accessible through two side gates, one of which is padlocked and the other has a locking mechanism that can’t be reached from the ‘wrong’ side of the gate. And yes, trespassing is trespassing. How would they feel if I walked into their house, uninvited, poured myself a cup of coffee, ransacked their ‘fridge, and then sat at their kitchen table?

Welcome! My name
is Jessica Lane. I live a nearly self-sufficient lifestyle with my sweet
husband and three beautiful children on 1/4 acre in Maine. We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats, ducks, and chickens, and we grow as much food as we can. What we can't grow or produce ourselves we barter for. If we can homestead where we live, what's stopping you?